Driving-gearing for elevators.



No. 762,698. PATENTED JUNE 14, 1904.

E. M. FRASER.

DRIVING GEAR FOR ELEVATORS. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 20, 1901.

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No. 762,698. PATENTED JUNE 14, 1904. E. M. FRASER.

DRIVING GEAR FOR ELEVATORS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.20.1901.

' no MODEL. 3 SHBETSSHEET z.

No. 762,698. PATENTED JUNE 14, 1904.

E. M. FRASER. DRIVING GEAR FOR ELEVATORS. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 20. 1901. N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS*SHEET a.

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IIIIIII I'IIIIIIIIIIIIIHI IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII "null-Inn ,1v IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII UNITED STATES Patented June 14, 1904.

PATENT OE-EIcE.

ETHELBERT M. FRASER, OF YONKERS, NEWV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORA- DRIVlNG-GEARING FOR ELEVATORS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters li'atent No. 762,698, dated June 14, 1904.

Application filed.August 20, 1901.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ETHELBER M. FRASER,

a citizen of Canada, residing at Yonkers, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Driving-Gearing for Elevators, of which the following is a specification. My invention relates to certain improvements in driving-gearing adapted for use in hoisting mechanism in general, but more particularly to elevators, and while parts of the apparatus hereinafter described may be applied to hoisting-machines or to elevators of i any class I have referred in detail to but one class of elevators and have shown and described a complete elevator operated withthe Fraser rope-drive, as disclosed in United States Patent No. 610,481, granted to me September 6, 1898. As well known, with this class of elevators two pulleys are connected with a car, as by an endless cable, in such a way that when the pulleys are both running at the same speed the car will remain stationary, and when they are running at relatively different rates of speed the car will move either upward or downward. There is ordidarily a separate motor for 'driving each pulley, as electric motors, and the relative speeds of the pulleys may be varied by varying the speed ratios of the motors.

One object of my invention is to devise means for reducing the number of motors required in this class of elevators fromtwo to one, thus producing a more economicaland efficient system, especially where electricity. is a motive power, since the one motor maybe kept running at all times with a load where high efficiency is reached, while with two motors both are ordinarily running at the sametime with waste of power.

Means should be provided for controlling the speed of the pulleys and for controlling the speed of each pulley, so that the pulleys may be operated at the same or relatively different speeds.

Another object of my invention therefore consists in providing mechanical means in the rollers.

Serial No. 72,678. (No model.)

form of a friction power-transmission gear for varying therelative speeds of the pulleys or whereby the speeds of the pulleys may be varied and then maintained at any desired ratio.

Another object of my invention is to pro' vide a variable-speed mechanism suitable forelevators, by means of which changes of speed may be effected easily, smoothly, and effi- .2. Fig. 4: is a side view, partly in section, of

part of the movable holder for the friction- Fig. 5 is a side View, partly in section, of a modification of my transmissiongear where opposite rotation of the driving and driven shafts is obtained.

In the drawings, A and B represent suitable pulleys or sheaves adapted to rotate in the same or opposite directions, as hereinafter described, A being keyed to a shaft A, shown as the driven shaft, and B being keyed to a shaft B, shown as the driving-shaft, to which is connected a suitable motor C, preferably an; electric motor. Any suitable gcari-ng maybe used for connecting the motor to the driving-shaft, or it may be connected di-= rectlyj thereto; but for convenience a belt connection is shown between the motor and driving-shaft. A suitable constant connection between the pulleys and the car, as an endless cable 1), is shown on the pulleys and passing over idle pulleys E and F upon the car G and counterweight Q, respectively, while-a suit- 9 able connection, as by a hoisting-rope I, is made over sheaves K between the car G and counterweight Q. 1

In Fig. 1 the pulleys A B are adapted to rotate in the same direction, and in order that the Fraser rope-drive shall operate in the usual manner to raise and lower the car it is necessary that the endless cable shall be crossed before passing around one of the pulleys, as B, idle pulleys a 7) being shown in a position suitable for the aecomplishmentof this purpose, the cable passing over these idle pulleys. Properly-grooved pulleys to prevent interference and wear between the crossed parts of the cable should be used where it is necessary to cross the cable, as described, and a single or multiple cable may be employed, as desired, with grooved pulleys. By this arrangement if pulley A is rotating faster than B, A becomes the drivingpulley for the car and pulls the car down, while if B is rotatingfaster than A it becomes the driving-pulley, pulling the counterweight down and the car up. VVhenboth pulleys are rotating at the same speed, the car is stationary. The electric motor C is shown as a variable-speed motor, the speed of which may be varied and controlled by any of the wellknown means; but in this instance the motor is shown with a rheostat R, preferably in the circuit of the field-coils, for varying the field magnetization, and thus the speed of the mo-. tor.

Upon each of the shafts A B are provided friction-disks I) in sets M N, showncontaining a plurality of disks each. These disks are preferably arranged with their faces parallel to each other and should be longitudinally slidable upon the shafts, butheld to rotate therewith by means of suitable feathers 0. The disks 6 on one shaft in this instance overlap those on the other shaft, and in order to transmit motion from the driving-shaft B to the driven shaft A rollers (Z of any desired form are arranged between the overlapping portions of the disks, the axes of rotation of the rollers lying in planes substantially perpendicular to the axes of the shafts A B, but preferably arranged'so that the said axes lie in a plane including the axes of the driving and driven shafts A B and also at the intersection with said plane of planes substantially perpendicular to said shafts. The rollers (Z frictionally engage the sides of the overlapping portions of the disks 5, and, as shown in the drawings, these rollers, furthermore, lie between the shafts A B, while the shafts are shown in this instance substantially parallel to each other. In a friction device of this kind as commonly used with one disk and friction-roller the driving effect is proportional to the friction between the disk and roller; but with my device one disk has double the driving effect, as both sides of the disk and two rollers are used. The frictional driving power can be increased to any desired extent by lncreaslng the number of disks, and it Wlll be seen that the transmitting power varies as the number of disks, 6:

' while additional rollers d frictionally engage the outer sides of the overlapping portions of the two outer disks 7) on the driven shaft. The disks 7) may be made of any suitable material, as steel,a'nd mounted on suitable hubs J.

The rollers (Z d are each supported by separate supports 0 in a suitable holder H, the supports being'held in substantial alinement in a horizontal plane by the holder H, each support 0 being loosely held by the holder. Consequently the axes of rotation of the rollers (Z d will be in substantial alinement and parallel to each other. One means of accomplishing this purpose is to provide a holder of substantially rectangular shape having sides H and ends H with grooves IL in the inside of the sides, in which slide the ends of the supports 0. These supports, carrying rollers placed between the overlapping portions of the disks, may be of any suitable shape, one convenient shape being that shown, in which there is a hollow portion in the support between the sides of which the rollers are pivoted. The two outer supports a are also arranged to slide in the grooves it and are of substantially the same shape as the supports a, but have extensions it sliding'in recesses /L in the ends H of the holder H, while suitable elastic means, shown as springs O, are coiled about the extensions 72. and may abut againstthe ends H and the supports 0 for pressing the frictionrollers (Z d and friction-disks 7) together. A

preferable arrangement is to provide screw threads on the extensions it, upon which fit nuts 703 for adjusting the tension of the springs; but any suitable means may be used for this purpose, so that the frictional pressure between the rollers and disks may be varied.

By the construction shown and described of the driving and driven shafts, friction-disks on the shafts, and friction-rollers, with their supports and holder therefor, it will be seen that to bring the axes of the friction-rollers d d all within a plane including the driving and driven shafts and also at the intersections with this plane of planes perpendicular thereto the holder will assume a horizontal position, and by the construction described,whereby the friction-rollers d d are arranged between overlapping portions of the frictiondisks 5, means may readily be contrived for varying the position of the rollers on the faces of the disks, and by this means the speed of IIO the driven shaft may be varied. WVhen the rollers (Z d are at equal distances from the shafts A B, the said shafts will rotate at the same speed; but when the rollers are moved nearer the periphery of disksb on drivingshaft B, andconsequently toward the center of disks 5 on driven shaft A, the. driven shaft will be driven faster than the driving-shaft, and when the rollers are moved toward the center of the disks on the driving-shaft the driven shaft runs slower than. the drivingshaft. 7

I provide means on the car for controlling the relative speeds of the disks, and consequently the relative speeds of the shafts A B, thereby controlling the relative speeds of the pulleys A B. Suitable connections X are made between the corners of the holder H or from anypart of the sides and ends thereof to each other and to a suspended cable or connector Y, Which passes over pulley Y on the car and round a pulley X beneath the transmission-gear and beneath the holder H to a suitable counterweight, as usual. The usual crank or wheel Z is provided on the car for.

rotating pulley Y in either direction, by which means it will readily be seen that the holder H may be raised or lowered on guides W to change the position of the rollers d d on the faces of the disks 6.

As shown in Fig. 2, the rollers d d instead of being constructed of one piece upon a spindle (Z may be each constructed of a plurality of parallel revoluble disks upon spindles. These parallel revoluble disks 0? are arranged side by side upon a spindle (Z and may be made of anysuitable material, as steel, the object of this arrangement being to avoid the friction caused by some portion of the roller sliding instead of rolling. Where but one roller d is used between each pair of disks, the driving and driven shafts will rotate in the same direction, and to cause opposite rotation of the said shafts it is only necessary to place two rollers (Z between each pair of disks, as shown in Fig. 5, the supports a being made slightly wider, if necessary, for the accommodation of the two rollers, and where a transmission-gear is used with driving and driven shafts rotating in, opposite directions it is of course not necessary to cross the endless cable over one of the pulleys A B, as shown in Fig. 1.

While it is not necessary, I at the same time prefer to inclose my transmission-gear in a suitable oil box or casing P, which may be filled with oil toincrease the efficiency of the apparatus.

. Since I have shown a single variable-speed motor for the driving-pulleys A B connected to one of the pulley-shafts, as B, with avariable-speed power-transmission gear between the driving and driven shafts, the operation of which gear is controlled from the car, it will be seen that the speed of each pulley may be varied and controlled, while any variations in the relative speeds or speed ratios of the pulleys through the operation of the mechanical power-transmission gear may be controlled from the car.

The mechanical power-transmission gear is independent of the motor, constituting a driving connection between the shafts A B, and by it the speed of one of the pulleys, as that of A, may be varied, while that of the other, B, remains substantially constant.

Any constant connection may be made between the pulleys A B and the car, not necessarily an endless cable, and the car itself is only illustrative of what may be termed a part to be operated, and the pulleys A B may be driven in the same or opposite directions, according to the form of power-transmission gear used.

I am not to be understood as confining my self to the precise form of apparatus shown and described, for in order to embody the broad principles of my invention any suitable means may be employed whereby a single motor may operate at the same or relatively different speeds two pulleys having constant connectionswith a part to be operated; nor doI limit myself to the precise details of construction-of the transmission-gear and operating mechanism therefor.

My variable-speed gear can advantageously be utilized to change the relative speeds of any two .parallel shafts, as in a lathe, in place of the usual cone-pulleys and gears. It is also particularly applicable to automobiles, especially those driven by gas-engines, as a substitute for gears, since a gas-engine operates most economically at substantially one speed, and it is desirable to control the speed of the vehicle without changing the speed of the motor.

Many other applications may be found for my transmission-gear, which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

Without limiting myself to the precise details of construction of the parts shown, I claim as my inventionf l. The combination in a driving-gear, of a motor, two pulleys and means of eommunicating motion from both of said pulleys to a part to be driven, means for driving one pulley from the other, and means for varying the speed thus imparted to the driven pulley, substantially as described.

' 2. The combination with a part to be operated, and a motor, of a power-transmission gear comprising driving and driven shafts, sets of overlapping disks on the shafts, rollers between the overlapping portions of the disks, a separate and independently-movable support for each roller, means for holdingthe supports in substantial alinement, and means for pressing the rollers against the disks; and

conneetions between said transmission-gear andlthe part to be operated, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a part to be operated, of two pulleys and means connecting them with said part, a motor connected to operate one of said pulleys at a substantially constant speed, and means for driving the other pulley from that connected with the motor, said means being adjustable to vary the speed of the driven pulley, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a part to be operated, and a motor, of a frictional power-transmission gear comprising parallel overlapping friction-disks, and a friction-roller between the disks, the axis of rotation of which is substantially perpendicular to that of the disks, said roller consisting of a spindle with a plurality of revolublc parts thereon; and connections between said transmission-gear and the part to be operated, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a part to be operated, and a motor, of a power-transmission gear comprising driving and driven shafts, a plurality of overlapping parallel disks on each shaft longitudinally slidable thereon, rollers for frictionally engaging the sides of the overlapping portions of the disks, and means for pressing and holding the disks and rollers in frictional engagement; and connections between said transmission-gear and the part to be operated, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a part to beeperated, and a motor, of a power-transmission gear comprising driving and driven shafts, a plurality of overlapping parallel disks on each shaft longitudinally slidable thereon, rollers for frictionall y engaging the sides of the overlapping portions of the disks, means for pressing and holding the disks and rollers in frictional engagement, and means for varying the amount of frictional pressure between the rollers and disks; and connections between said transmission-gear and the part to be operated, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a part to be operated, and a motor, of a power-transmission gear comprising driving and driven shafts, a plurality of overlapping parallel disks on each shaft longitudinally slidable thereon, rollers for frictionally engaging the sides of the overlapping portions of the disks, means for pressing and holding the disks and rollers in frictional engagement, and means for simultaneously varying the positions of all the rollers on the faces of the disks to vary the relative speeds of the shafts; and connections between said transmission-gear and the part to be operated, substantially as described.

8. The combination with a part to beeperated, and a motor, of a power-transmission gear comprising driving and driven shafts, a plurality of overlapping parallel disks-on each shaft, revoluble therewith but longitudinally slidable thereon, rollers for frictionally engaging the sides of the overlapping portions of the disks, and means for pressing and holding the disks and rollers in frictional engagement; and connections between said transmissiongear and the part to be operated, substantially as described.

9. The combination with a part to be operated, and a motor, of a power-transmission gear comprising driving and driven shafts, a plurality of parallel, overlapping disks on the shafts, all longitudinally movable, pairs of rollers between overlapping portions of pairs of disks whereby the shafts are rotated in opposite directions, and means for pressing the rollers against the disks; and connections between said transmission-gear and the part to be operated, substantially as described.

10. The combination With a part to be operated, and a motor, of a power-transmission gear comprising driving and driven shafts, a plurality of parallel disks all longitudinally movable on the shafts and revolubletherewith, pairs of rollersbetween the disks on one shaft and those on the other shaft, and :means for pressing the rollers and disks into frictional contact; and connections between said transmission-gear and the part to be operated, substantially as described.

11. The combination with a part to be operated, and a motor, of a power-transmission gear comprising driving and driven shafts, a plurality of parallel disks on each shaft longitud inally movable thereon and revoluble therewith, pairs of rollers between the-disks on-one shaft and those on the other shaft, means for pressing the rollers against the disks, and means for simultaneously varying the positions of all the rollers on the disks; and connections between said transmission-gear and the part to be operated, substantially as described.

12. The combination with a part to be operated, of a motor, a driving-shaft, a driven shaft, pulleys on the shafts, an endless cable on the pulleys connected to said part, a plurality of overlapping disks upon the shafts, pairs of rollers between overlapping portions of pairs of disks for causing opposite rotation of the shafts, and means extending to and adjustable fromthe part to be operated for simultaneously varying the positions of the rollers on the faces of the disks to vary the relative speeds of the shafts, substantially asdescribed.

13. The combination of a part to be operated, two pulleys connected therewith by flexible connections capable of traveling independently of said part and also of moving it in different directions, a single motor connected to drive one of the pulleys positively and continuously in one direction, and means controlled from said part to vary the speed of the other pulley, substantially as described.

14. The combination of a part to be operdriven from the motor, substantially as deated, two pulleys connected therewith by flcxiscribed. ble connections capable of traveling independ+ In testimony whereof I have signed my name ently of said part and also of moving it in difto this specification in the presence of two sub- 5 ferent directions, a single motor connected to scribing witnesses.

drive one of the pulleys positively and continuously in one direction, means controlled ETHELBERT FRASER from said part to vary the speed of the other Witnesses: pulley, and means extending to and operatable EDWARD A. FIToH, IO from said part to vary the speed of the pulley HENRY H. HoLMsTRoM. 

